Note: The crux section of the first pitch may be avoided by using the roots referred to above, but this is not recommended as the roots have deteriorated in some places.

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First Ascent: Date Unknown T Louw

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* '''FOREVER YOUNG 25 (H2) R **** [N]'''

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Start 3m right of Where Do You Think You Are Going, above the large boulder, but downstream of the obvious chimney cracks.

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1. 25m H2 25 Climb up a few metres to steeper rock. Move right then make hard moves up to a good hold. Continue more or less straight up via the corners and small roofs above.

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First Ascent: Dec 1985 K M Smith and A de Klerk.

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* '''PINNACLE SOUTH 19 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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Located at head of kloof, 20m upstream of Pinnacle North. (There is a similar leaning pinnacle against the face). Climb and scramble 30m to base of crack on righthand side of pinnacle.

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1. 30m E3 11 In crack to top of pinnacle.

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2. 10m G1 19 Ascend the bulging face above the pinnacle. The crux is the first 3m. Thereafter ascend an easy sloping ramp. (This pitch was originally opened using a shoulder for aid (15 F2))

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Variation:

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The G1 move can be bypassed by a semi-handtraverse left into a corner (13 F1). Continue left onto ledge and ascend flake 5m further left.

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First Ascent: May 1969 R F Davies, I Cohen and D Smith

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* '''PINNACLE DIRECT 17 (F3) L *** [N]'''

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Start directly below prominent pinnacle near descent gully.

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1. 20m F2 17 Ascend strenuous handjam crack to ceiling. Move out to right 2m and up 4m to top of gendarme.

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2. 10m F2 15 Move right 3m into chimney, between gendarme and face and climb chimney 6m to top of pinnacle. Alternatively move diagonally left and ascend easy face. Step across to main face and ascend thin face to ledge. (Part of this pitch is shared with Pinnacle North).

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3. 30m F3 17 Ascend 7m up thin ridge to sloping platform. Hand-traverse 6m to left and move up to long sloping ramp beneath low ceiling. Ascend ramp and continue past large chockstone to the summit. Alternatively, traverse left 10m to corner and climb strenuous chimney to gain the ramp.

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Note: This climb is strenuous, having probably the longesthand-traverse in the Magaliesberg. Protection is good.

Located near the head of the kloof at a split red buttress opposite a tree with 50cm diameter trunk growing off opposite (right) face of the kloof at a height of 3m. Scramble to wide ledge 10m up.

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1. 30m E3 11 Climb in crack formed by a pinnacle leaning against the face to top of pinnacle. Near top move out left and ascend outside of pinnacle to top.

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2. 6m F2 15 Up directly from pinnacle. Crux is first 2m. (Variation 10 E2: Traverse left then up a gully or crack to same stance).

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3. 10m F1 13 Traverse right into recess with two cracks at back. Lefthand crack is the steeper (13 F1). Righthand crack is easier (10 E2).

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First Ascent: 1970 R F Davies and I Cohen.

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* '''FURPECT 15 (F2) L [N]'''

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The climb starts on the face immediately downstream of Pinnacle North, avoids a fierce-looking jam crack and ends up a steep open book cum chimney.

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1. 25m F2 15 Climb the steep face 2m right of the corner which is the start of Pinnacle North. Just below a small roof with a jam crack running through it, traverse left on to the route of Pinnacle North. Climb up till it is possible to traverse back right above the jam crack to a good ledge at the bottom of a big open book-cum-chimney.

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2. 18m F1 13 Climb the chimney to the top and move out to the right. Scramble to the top.

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Variation:

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2. 20m F2 15 Climb the chimney to the first obvious handrail. Rail out right to the nose, move around it and climb a hand jam crack to the top.

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First Ascent: Nov 1982 J van Eeden and S Isebeck.

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* '''ROUGH ROCK RECESS 9 (E1) L * [N]'''

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Situated 3m right of Pinnacle North. Start by scrambling up 4m, at a point as high up the kloof as possible where the upper krantzes lie back in an upper bay. To the right of Pinnacle North is a crack or recess running straight up. (Grey, very rough rock.)

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1. 13m E1 8 Climb 6m up to ledge with big nettle tree. Continue up recess 7m to good tree.

3. 15m D 7 Climb up through hole in roof and scramble to base of next pitch.

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4. 10m E1 8 Climb narrow open book type of chimney, not the easy crack on the left, to good stance. (At this point, climb crosses Nettle Chimney.)

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5. 14m D 7 Pass around to the right, under a corner which is of a higher grade, to next recess and climb over chockstones to good tree (10m). Finish by going right again into short chimney to top.

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First Ascent: Dec 1978 S Junod, M and R Forsyth.

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* '''NETTLE CHIMNEY 7 (D) L ** [N]'''

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Start higher up the kloof, as for start of Pinnacle North.

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1. 25m D 7 After scrambling up from the riverbed 10m move right past start of Rough Rock Recess, which climb is in recess, and climb grey rock to a good tree and up again to big nettle tree, 10m.

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2. 20m D 7 Traverse to right and climb easy gully, thenscramble to large tree set in a corner far back from stream.

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3. 30m D 7 Climb up for 4m and then move left 3m and climb round big rock blocks and up recess to big stance behind nettle tree.

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4. 25m D 7 Move to crack as far left as possible and climb easy crack to top.

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First Ascent: Aug 1945 J Plekke and K Ruhle

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* '''FREEZEFRAME 20 (G2) L [N]'''

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Climbs a thin crack up a face & past a tree approximately 30-40m upstream of DINKUM DIHEDRAL, between TREMADOC FEVER and NETTLE CHIMNEY.

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1. 20 (G2) 20m Climb the crack moving leftwards towards the top.

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First Ascent: 1990 S. Middlemiss & W. Jenkin

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* '''TREMADOC FEVER 19 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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The route takes the groove immediately to the left of Dinkum Dihedral. Start 4m left of the start of Dinkum Dihedral, behind a stamvrug tree.

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1. 25m F3 17 Ascend diagonally right from behind the tree to gain the ledge below the dihedral taken by Dinkum Dihedral. Step up and left to gain the groove and follow this to below a V-notch in a small roof. Pull through the notch and belay on nettle tree stance.

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2. 8m G1 19 Jam up the righthand crack, with difficulty near its top, until able to gain the loose-looking block in the off-width on the left. Follow the off-width rightwards to the top.

Scramble up to the ledge from where the crux pitch of Dinkum Dihedral starts.

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1. 15m G1 19 Climb the arete 3m to the left of Dinkum Dihedral, finishing through a gap in the roof and belay by a tree on the ledge. Protection is a little sparse but placing side runners will downgrade this route !

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Finish up Dinkum Dihedral or abseil off.

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First Ascent: May 1985 J Wright and S Brown.

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* '''DINKUM DIHEDRAL 19 (G1) L [N]'''

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Seen from the opposite side of the kloof, the true lefthand side of the kloof downstream from Pinnacle Direct steps back to form a wide bushy and tree-covered platform. The top pitch of Furpect takes the first obvious open book downstream from Pinnacle North. Next to this, another three vertical open books can be seen next to one another above the level of the trees. Dinkum Dihedral takes the extreme righthand one. Scramble up from the bottom of the kloof for about 20m to the base of the vertical rock. The climb starts in a steep recess with rough rock which is 5m to the right of another recess with a stamvrug tree at its bottom.

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1. 12m F2 15 Climb the recess to a chockstone which blocks it at the top. Move out left past it onto a ledge.

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2. 18m G1 19 On the righthand side of the ledge, there is a spectacular open book with a crack in its centre. After a tricky take-off move, climb the open book using stemming and hand-jamming techniques. About 5m up, move diagonally left and up, on the left hand face of the open book. Move back to the central crack again after about 1m of very thin face-climbing. Continue up on good finger-locks to a small ledge 1m under the triangular roof. Fist-jam through the horizontal crack in the roof to a resting place on the arete. Move up and left to a belay ledge with a nettle tree. (Note: This pitch offers superbly protected and sustained climbing.)

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3. 10m F3 17 From the ledge, two cracks can be seen. Climb the righthand jam crack till it is possible to traverse left 2m into the off-width crack in the corner. Climb this awkwardly to the top.

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First Ascent: Nov 1982 J van Eeden and S Isebeck.

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* '''SHADOWPLAY 17 (F3) L ** [N]'''

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Start at break 6m right of Dinkum Dihedral. Climb the crack (which becomes off-width) exiting right at large ledge.

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1. 20m F3 17 Climb the red face to the base of the fine looking jam crack, climb this to tree belay.

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First Ascent: Aug 1985 M Haffner and C Curson.

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* '''PASSIVE RHYTHMS 19 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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Starts 15m right of Shadowplay at a dihedral with a large capping roof.

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1. 25m G1 19 Climb dihedral to roof, exiting left by underclinging and wide bridging to a small ledge. Climb directly up the buttress on crystalline rock to ledge and tree belay.

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First Ascent: Aug 1985 M Haffner and C Curson.

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* '''YAHOO 19 (G1) R ** [N]'''

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The route follows a line about 5m upstream from WHERE DO YOU THINK YOURE GOING. It follows an obvious crack 5m right of the smooth face topped by an overhang.

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1. 19 (G1) 25m Proceed up the crack with chimney technique until it becomes necessary to straddle. Move up a further 3m until it is possible to reach a good jug. Make three strenuous pull-ups to where the rock becomes vegetated and then handrail right 2m and exit with ease. Scramble to the top.

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First Ascent: Feb 1985 Peter Lazarus

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* '''WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING 23 (H1) R ** [N]'''

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A large overhang (split by a gnarly crack) about 20m up is located on the left side of the kloof about 15m upstream of VARIETY. Start at the base of a large boulder next to the face.

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1. 30m H1 23 Climb the slightly right-leaning crack bounding the upstream side of the large overhang.

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First Ascent: Apr 1985 S Bradshaw and K M Smith.

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* '''CANYONS OF OBLIVION 24 (H1) R **** [N]'''

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The roof crack 50m upstream of Straight Edge Corner. Start a few metres downstream of Where Do You Think You're Going.

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1. 20m G2 20 Climb the obvious recess until able to traverse right to a hanging belay beneath the crack.

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2. 5m H1 24 Climb the crack.

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First Ascent: Oct 1985 K M Smith and M Brunke.

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* '''NO NETTLES 10 (E2) L * [N]'''

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Start on grey face covered by tree roots opposite Variety.

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1. 30m D 7 Traverse right past a sharp ridge to large ledge with trees.

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2. 15m D 7 Climb straight up in corner on clean rock to tree and move to right onto large rock ledge with adequate block belay.

1. 25m D + 40m A. Start as for Nettle Chimney but move left on large ledge for 40m to the third recess.

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2. 20m F1,M0 13 or F3 17 Make a difficult take-off on left side of recess. Move to right after 5m to sloping rib. (The leader used two slings on chocks to surmount this section of about 3m while one member of party climbed this by pulling up on a handjam). Continue up the recess and chimney and exit on left to top.

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First Ascent: Dec 1978 S, H, S, D and P van Rensburg

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* '''VARIETY 8 (E1) R ** [N]'''

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The climb starts in a cave-like recess 5m below a group of roots on a brown face which are opposite a large tree growing in the kloof bed (about 30m upstream of Straight Edge).

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1. 18m C 5 Climb up into cave. (This pitch may be slippery in places in wet season).

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2. 12m E1 8 Climb face on left, working back into cleft and eventually chimneying up it.

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3. 15m E1 8 Traverse out to left for 5m and climb up an exposed ridge, finally re-entering the cleft below a large cave.

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4. 22m D 7 From the back of the large cave traverse outward and upward on the lefthand wall, finally ascending a rough grey face to a stance above the cave.

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First Ascent: 1951 E Scholes, G Burrow and Miss E Lasser.

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* '''YORKSHIRE 16 (F3) L * [N]'''

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The start is about 20m upstream of STRAIGHT EDGE on the opposite (left) side of the kloof. To the left is a grey face festooned with roots. Take off from a ledge a little way up the face.

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1. 10 (E2) 18m Ascend to a large ledge.

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2. 16 (F3) 25m Continue to top up steep recess or crack on reddish rock (on right is a sharp ridge).

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First Ascent: Jan 1950 P Harris, J Clayton

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* '''LE BON GENERAL 17 (F3) L ** [N]'''

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The climb starts only a metre or so to the right of Yorkshire, i.e. directly opposite Skeleton Gully.

2. 35m F2 15 Traverse diagonally 3m under righthand side of nose then up 3m and traverse back 3m and up 3m onto nose. Continue up ridge to cubbyhole.

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3. 14m F2 15 Move up to right out of cubbyhole and make awkward move up to diagonal crack with creeper. Climbcrack 4m then move left onto ridge and continue to summit.

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First Ascent: Date unknown M Prior and A Koster

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* '''SKELETON GULLY 7 (D) R [N]'''

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This climb follows a gully recess 15m up from Straight Edge Corner. After ascending the gully for 18m, bear generally right to end at the same point as Variety. It is also possible but more difficult to move out left higher up, along a traverse on the lefthand wall.

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First Ascent: 1940 H Wong and K Ruhle

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* '''CARDIFF ARMS 16 (F3) R [N]'''

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Situated 4m downstream of Skeleton Gully. Start just to the right of a black water streak on a 4m wall, below a large crack.

2. 12m E2 10 Climb front edge of buttress to ledge, then the crack in some loose blocks to another ledge. Move right to below short corner and up this on good holds to large ledge. Exit on left and scramble to top.

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First Ascent: Nov 1981 N and R Cleaver.

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* '''HOLLOW IDOLS 20 (G2) R ** [N]'''

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This climb starts on the true righthand side between The Slit and Cardiff Arms. The latter route starts up a black water streak directly below a chimney/crack. Start approximately 1-2m left of this water streak.

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1. 25m G2 20 Climb the blunt arete and continue up the face diagonally left for 5m. Above is an upstream-facing corner. Climb up the corner and continue up a vague groove above to a tree.

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Either tear up the loose gully above, or ab off the excellent tree on the right.

This climb is situated just to the right of The Slot, i.e. about 4m upstream of Cleft Buttress.

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1. 25m G1 19 Climb straight up to the crack through the overhang. Jam up this, pass the trees on the right, and climb the continuation crack to a large grassy ledge. The crux is at 7m. Finish off as for The Slot.

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First Ascent: Nov 1978 K M Smith and A J Smith

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* '''THE SLOT 18 (G1) R ** [N]'''

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This route starts and continues 1 to 2m upstream of Cleft Buttress, the crux being the overhanging section at 7m.

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1. 25m G1 18 Climb straight up to the point where the crack cuts the overhang. Jam through, pass the trees on the left, and climb the continuation crack to a large ledge. From here one can scramble off, or climb the chimneys or buttresses above.

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First Ascent: Nov 1978 K M Smith, A J Smith and C Rotteglia.

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* '''CLEFT BUTTRESS 14 (F2) R * [N]'''

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Start round the corner from Straight Edge Corner and about 3m upstream, directly below a prominent cleft in the buttress.

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1. 16m F2 14 Climb the cleft via awkward mantleshelf-type move.

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2. 16m E2 10 Continue easily to the top.

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First Ascent: Date unknown C Nicholls.

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* '''YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER 20 (G2) R ** [N]'''

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Starts midway between STRAIGHT EDGE corner and CLEFT BUTTRESS and takes the crack and outside edge of the buttress above.

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1. 20 (G2) 25m Ascend the layback crack just to the right of a tree growing against the cliff 2m out from the Straight Edge Crack to a ledge 5m up. Climb the off-width crack (left) to below an overhang and step left to a small ledge on the outside corner. Attain the ramp above delicately and layback through the steep section (crux). Climb more easily to a ledge and eye belay.

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2. As for The Slot.

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Variations:

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1. 19 (G1) 25m From the sloping ramp move left around the corner and climb to the same stance on small positive holds.

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Climb straight up from the top of the off-width crack, that is, do not step left onto the outside corner.

2A good selection of medium wire nuts is useful e.g. doubles of sizes equivalent to Rocks 2 and 3.

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First Ascent: Jan 1985 K M Smith, S Bradshaw and A de Klerk.

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* '''STRAIGHT EDGE CORNER 15 (F2) R **** [N]'''

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The climb starts in a sharp right-angled corner 150m below the junction of Pool Gully.

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1. 12m F2 15 Layback or jam up the crack until a small cubbyhole is reached.

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2 6m E2 10 Bear right above cubbyhole to a large ledge. (Pitches 1 and 2 are often combined).

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3. 12m E1 9 Chimney up behind stance.

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4. 12m E2 10 This is an arbitrary pitch up the centre of the red buttress straight above. It is necessary to climb out to the right to avoid an overhang at the top.

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Variations:

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a)The Slab Pitches 1 and 2. 30m F2 15 Climb the slab to the left more or less straight up to the big ledge. (C Lomax and D Cheesmond).

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b)From the top of pitch 2 traverse left for 5m to a chimney/crack. Ascend this with awkward moves (8m F3 16). (M Makowski and party).

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First Ascent: 1940 J Botha and H Wong

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* '''QUICK SILVER 19 (G1) R *** [N]'''

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Starts 3m left of Straight Edge Corner.

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1. 20m G1 19 Climb the wall directly, following the obvious weakness to a steep band near the top. Traverse slightly and up to small roof. Move left around this and up to good belay.

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First Ascent: Nov 1981 P Douglas, T Holt and C Mitchell.

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* '''MONKEY WEE, MONKEY POO 18 (F3) R [N]'''

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Start as for QUICK SILVER and at the overhanging section of wall hang left a go up the wide groove. It's a good route, easily top-roped too.

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First Ascent: Jun 2004 Mark Millar & Desiree Jones

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* '''ORGASMATRON 20 (G2) R *** [N]'''

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Takes the slab 8m downstream of Straight Edge, similar climbing to that on Quick Silver.

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Start directly below the slab which is dissected by horizontal rails. Step off a boulder to start.

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1. 25m G2 20 Ascend the slab directly without reference to either of the bounding vertical crack systems. Crux at overlap, at 8m. Move slightly right to the base of the crack system in the headwall. Follow this system for 3m and finish by moving right into a small corner.

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First Ascent: May 1986 R Dodding, T Willmot and M Lancaster.

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* '''DEE CRACK 19 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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About 10m upstream from Bored Games (i.e. just left of the recess).

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1. 30m G1 19 Climb the overhanging jam-crack to broken ground.

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First Ascent: 1979 C Lomax and D Cheesmond

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* '''PANGAMAN VIBRATION 19 (G1) L [N]'''

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Takes the obvious corner just left of Ego Whip.

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1. 20m G1 19 Climb the corner/recess directly.

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First Ascent: May 1985 M Haffner.

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* '''EGOWHIP 23 (H1) L **** [N,1B,P]'''

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Climbs a very narrow dihedral running up the right wall of the prominent corner between Dee Crack and Bored Games. (Right of Pangaman Vibration.)

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1. 20m H1 23 Scramble onto a ledge and pull-up into the base of the dihedral. Climb up to the top of the dihedral, exit right, and continue up on sparse holds to easy ground and a large tree.

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Note: Bolt protects crux.

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First Ascent: Circa 1983 T Holt (after top rope practice).

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* '''BORED GAMES 22 (G3) L *** [N]'''

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Also called by its old name, Malabalaba.A clean hard pitch, similar to Schweesicles. The line followed is a crack on the opposite side of the kloof and 5m upstream from Straight Edge.

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1. 40m G3 22 From stream bed gain a large handhold on the left. Pull up into the recess, pass a dying tree to the right and continue up the crack right up to the large ledge.

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(Originally called Malabalaba (17 F3,M1), an African game like draughts played with bottle tops.)

The climb goes up the slight buttress and shallow recess above, which lies between Bored Games and Cee Crack. Start at the top of the large boulder alongside the face.

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1. 30m G2 20 It is advisable to protect the first 10m of the climb by placing a sling high up in the tree leaning across the kloof from just downstream of the apex of the block above. Layback very strenuously up a thin crack to get your hands onto the ledge above. Get onto this ledge by traversing left strenuously to a better handrail and then swinging the feet up. Traverse delicately back right in a very off-balance position to where a handhold can be reached allowing one to step right into a small bottomless recess and up to a resting place on a ledge above (place for a small stance). Climb the shallow recess above to the large ledge above. Halfway up is a difficult move (19 G1) involving a brief move onto the left arete. (In the openingascent, the leader held onto a nut to swing onto the left arete which reduced the grade to 17 F3.)

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2. 20m F2 15 Walk about 5m right and climb the face and pillar above just to the right of the prominent arete. Continue up on the righthand side of the arete, finishing up with a strenuous move (15 F2) near the top.

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First Ascent: Mar 1982 J Levy and P Fatti.

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* '''CEE CRACK 17 (F3) L ** [N]'''

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The crack between Jelly Beans and Bored Games opposite Straight Edge.

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1. 30m F3 17 Climb jam-crack to broken ground.

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First Ascent: 1979 C Lomax and D Cheesmond

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* '''JELLY BEANS 16 (F3) L *** [N]'''

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This route is 5m below Straight Edge on opposite side. Start to left of small cave.

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1. 25m F3 16 Climb up slightly sloping face about 8m to apex of triangle and fixed piton. Jam up crack in open book for about 3m until feet are at level of good thin crack on right face. Step across to top ledge on left. Move to lefthand end of ledge. Climb up crack and face to extensive grassy ledge. Walk 5m left to large tree on wide flattish rock ledge.

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2. 18m F1 13 Ascend grey and orange slab directly behind tree to top.

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First Ascent: 1965 J Anderson and P Venter

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* '''VARIATION : JELLY BEANS DIRECT 18 (G1) L **** [N]'''

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1. 23m G1 18 Climb up slightly sloping face for about 8m (13 F1) to apex of triangle and fixed piton. Jam up crack in open book for about 3m until feet are at level of good thin crack on right face (17 F3). Instead of stepping across to top ledge on left (as for Jelly Beans), continuestraight up open book on good jam holds to the small obvious roof (17 F3). Pull through roof to stance (18 G1).

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First Ascent: Jun 1979 C Edelstein, D K Luyt and M Mears

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* '''GELIGNITE 22 (G3) L [N]'''

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Between Jellybeans and Schweesicles on the same side of the kloof. Start as for Jellybeans.

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1. 25m G3 22 Up crack until handrail is reached.Right along rail to arete. Step up and continue up corner until next rail. Back left to finger crack. Up crack to top.

1. 12m G1 19 Move up as high as possible in cave. Move out left under overhanging roof of cave and into shallow recess. Ascend recess 9m past good tree (running belay) to good ledge and tree belay.

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2. 25m F1 14 Continue directly upwards (2m to right of chimney recess with two trees) on coarse grained rock to top (12m up is a tree).

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First Ascent: Mar 1966 M Makowski, J Anderson and I McLachlan.

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* '''SHADOW OF DOUBT 21 (G2) L *** [N]'''

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Climbs the thin crack and continuation corner 2m right of Schweesicles and Naughty Monkey takes the left-facing open book 1m further right.

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1. 20m G2 21 Climb the thin crack, past a roof on the right, to reach a ledge. Continue up the blank looking open book above, and exit right onto easier ground.

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Note: No use is made of any tree.

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First Ascent: Sept 1985 K M Smith, M Haffner and C Edelstein.

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* '''NAUGHTY MONKEY 20/21 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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Start about 3m to the right of SCHWEESICLES at the base of a tree. Same start as for SHADOW OF DOUBT.

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1. 19 (G1) 20m Climb into the righthand of the two cracks and into a shallow corner higher up. Pull over two bulges and up onto a ledge.

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2. 19 (G1) 15m Move up the rippled corner directly above until able to move left onto the arete about halfway up. Continue up to the top.

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First Ascent: Jan 1985 A de Klerk (solo).

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* '''THE CUNNING LINGUIST 17 (F3) L [N]'''

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Starts 2m left of lone tree on embayment - see Satyriasis Strut and Oedipus Wrecks.

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1. 20m F3 17 Climbs broken corner crack system at left end of embayment.

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First Ascent: Sept 1985 M Haffner (Roped solo).

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* '''OEDIPUS WRECKS 21 (G2) L *** [N]'''

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First pitch takes face left of Satyriasis Strut.

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1. 10m G3 21 Start 2m right of the lone tree on the embayment ledge. Climb thin seam past one rail and at next rail step left (no naughty stepping right to tree), and then climb face in the line of the very thin seam to large ledge.

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2. 10m G1 19 Climb the poorly protected, slim, open groove.

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First Ascent: Sept 1985 M Haffner and K Smith.

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* '''SATYRIASIS STRUT 18 (G1) L *** [N]'''

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Between Naughty Monkey and Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained is an embayment with large ledge (which is scrambled up to).

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1. 20m G1 18 Climb obvious jam crack at right hand end of bay to ledge with tree. Step left and climb the cracked slabby face (crux).

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First Ascent: Aug 1985 M Haffner.

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* '''PIGMY FACE 19 (G1) L [N]'''

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Situated in a broad recess shaped like an "A" with the top triangle removed. Its righthand retaining wall is a smooth grey face which is undercut at its outer edge. Start 20m downstream of Straight Edge on the opposite side of the kloof.

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1. 20m G1,M1 19 Commence in the left of the recess. Move up the small recess for 1,5m and traverse right via a hand and foot rail to another recess formed by the wall and the right hand slabbed wall (5m 17 F3). Ascend recess partially for 3m and move out left onto the face. Continue up to a ledge 2m up (3m 17 F3). Move across right retaining wall (2 pitons,M1). Continue a further 2m on small fingerholds to the corner and around to a ledge (19 G1). Continue up a recess and a small chimney to a broad ledge (8m 15 F2).

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2. 30m C,D,E 7 Scramble to top.

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Note: Pitch 1 is sustained but well protected.

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* '''Variation:'''

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The 19 G1, M1 traverse may be avoided by a spectacular hand-traverse on the footrail.

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First Ascent: 1967 M Makowski, I McLachlan, T Lane and A Carmen.

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* '''ME PIGFACE 19 (G1,M0) L ** [N]'''

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Same start as for Pigmy Face. Whereas Pigmy Face traverses right after about 5m up the lefthand corner, this climb continues up the corner to the overhang before traversing right.

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1. 25m G1,M0 19 Climb the recess to the overhang. Crux move (19 G1) shortly below the overhang. Traverse right along the obvious handrail, standing in a sling or a"Friend" about halfway across, to a small tree in the righthand corner. Climb up the tricky face just to the right of the corner to a large stance.

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2. 12m E2 10 Climb up to the large ledge from where one can scramble to the top.

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First Ascent: Mar 1982 P Fatti and G Moseley. Oct 1985 FFA G Mallory.

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* '''NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED 22 (G3) L **** [N]'''

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This route takes the direct continuation of Me Pigface. From the traverse of Me Pigface continue straight up the open book through the roof to the ledge with a tree.

1. ?m G2 21 Climb up to beneath the overhang and jam out to the lip. Reach strenuously for distant jugs and pull through (crux). Continue up for 1m to a rail and traverse right for 3m on excellent jams to a ledge. Climb up easier rock to big ledge.

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Scramble off to the right.

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First Ascent: Sep 1983 S Mallory and G Mallory.

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* '''WISH YOU WERE HERE 25 (H2) L *** [N]'''

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Climbs the steep corner/crack up the middle of the overhanging band of rock downstream of VORTEX, i.e. upstream of the sandy pool-bed above MHLABATINI CHIMNEY (opposite and slightly downstream of INVALID).

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1. 25 (H2) 15m Climb the corner and continuation crack.

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First Ascent: May 1985 S Bradshaw and K M Smith.

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* '''DIRE STRAITS 24 (H1+) L **** [N]'''

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Climbs the crack 4m downstream (right) of Wish You Were Here.

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1. 10m H1+ 24 Climb the crack and chimney.

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First Ascent: Apr 1985 K M Smith and S Bradshaw.

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* '''JUXTAPOSITION 23 (H1) L **** [N]'''

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The route starts 2m to the right (i.e. downstream) of Dire Straits, on the same side of the kloof.

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1. 20m H1 23 Climb the crack exiting through the obvious break in the roof above. Scramble easily to the top.

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Note: 1A few small nuts (micros) are useful as protection.

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2Hoping not to sound like one C E (alias S) tall people may find the grade only 21 !!

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First Ascent: May 1987 P Lazarus.

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* '''THE CANNON 15 (F2) R ** [N]'''

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The climb is located by two distinctive features jutting out from the top of the kloof like twin cannon, about 30m below Straight Edge Corner. Start at a tree about 10m below Straight Edge, where the floor of the kloof takes a drop.

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1. 18m E3 11 Ascend a grey slab and traverse left to a tree, the roots of which can be used as a belay.

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2. 5m D 7 Traverse downstream to the lower end of the grey slab, passing below the "cannon" to a stance with two trees.

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3. 5m F2 15 Ascend a small nose on thin holds to a ledge under the "cannon".

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4. 9m E1 8 Climb red face to the right of the "cannon".

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First Ascent: Nov 1956 R Cameron

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* '''DIRECT VARIATION 15 (F2) [N]'''

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Start about 5m upstream from Invalid and near the downstream end of a buttress.

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1. 25m E3 11 Start up a slight recess and climb generally diagonally rightwards to where it is possible to move easily through the overhangs. Then climb diagonally left to finally gain a large ledge at the downstream end of the buttress.

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2. 15m F2 15 Traverse about 3m left and then up a small arete. Continue directly up the face above past a piton in place to gain a large ledge.

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3. 9m E1 8 The same as the last pitch on The Cannon. Climb the red face to the right of the "cannon".

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First Ascent: Feb 1975 A McGarr and party

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* '''BURST BREECH 17 (F3) R ** [N]'''

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The route follows a vertical line starting on the right side of the corner immediately upstream of Invalid. The start is on a shelf 4m above the stream bed. The line continues through the crux move of The Cannon and through the overhangs 6m to the left of The Cannon rocks.

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1. 30m F1 13 Traverse diagonally right 5m, up over a bulge and left over a sloping ramp to a point above the starting tree belay. Climb diagonally left over a delicate balance mantleshelf and around a corner then up to a broad shelf and tree belay. (Long runners should be used to reduce rope-drag problems).

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2. 40m F2 15 At the right end of the shelf climb up and around the corner onto an exposed face following the crack line to the Cannon crux pitch. This move is protected by a fixed piton. Climb this section in common with Cannon. The stance is at the foot of the square cut recess above and in line with this difficulty.

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3. 20m F3 17 Climb 3m up the recess, move out to the left to avoid the bulge and re-enter the recess about 9m up using a few excellent handholds and finally a handjam. Using straddle and hand-jamming techniques enter a "blind" cubbyhole (crux). (Excellent large taper nut crack available in the sloping floor of the cubbyhole). Leave therecess by taking a spectacular breech-rending step to the left and mounting the remaining vertical exposed rock over reasonably good holds.

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Note: Variations may be climbed over the first 4m by moving left and up over very vertical and strenuous rock (15 F2 to 17 F3) or finishing up between the "cannons".

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First Ascent: Mar 1977 H Seuring, J Brittain and K Bennetts.

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* '''BURST BALLS 17 (F3) R ** [N]'''

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The climb is situated on the downstream end of the buttress on which Cannon and Burst Breech are found (hence climbs name). The line is an obvious, direct crack and corner system and takes in the crux (15 F2) section of The Cannon. Climb commences in a chimney 1m upstream of a large tree growing on a ledge 6m above kloof floor.

crack (crux). Continue directly above through corner and recess, past peg and through the crux of The Cannon, to a large grassy ledge. (Can ascend one of the upper pitches described for The Cannon from here).

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First Ascent: Oct 1984 T O'Connor, L Chambers and T Holt.

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* '''INVALID 13 (F1) R * [N]''''

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The climb is located about 15m upstream from the pool which spans the kloof near Mhlabatini Chimney. A small crack offers the only route on a near vertical smooth grey face which ends in an open book a few metres to the left of the crack.

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1. 28m F1 13 Using the crack climb 15m to tree sling point in small recess. Continue 9m up left wall of recess and scramble 8m over large sloping ledge to foot of chimney above the recess just climbed.

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2. 12m F1 13 Climb through the first overhang to roof of second overhang. Climb out via face on left (rock is not too sound at this point).

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First Ascent: Oct 1958 W Wieder, Miss M Armstrong and R Kinsley.

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* '''INVALID : ALTERNATIVE FINAL PITCH 16 (F2) R [N]'''

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The pitch follows an obvious line up the grey face immediately above the top of pitch 1.

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2. 20m F2 Start in a corner where the grey face meets the steep red face about 2 metres downstream from the top of the recess/chimney just climbed. Move easily to a small overhang at about 7 metres and pull through on the righthand side (crux). Bear right above the overhang and to the summit on granulated grey rock via the line of least resistance.

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First Ascent: Jun 1987 G Muyburgh and party.

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* '''CARRION 21 (G2) R ** [N]'''

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The route takes a line up the centre of the face immediately upstream of Hawk's Nose or Soul Crusher. Climb Invalid's first pitch to gain the large ledge below face.

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1. 25m G2 21 Starting in a small corner below a roof which extends leftwards, Climb the face to a small ledge. The face becomes steeper at this point. Gain a rail 2m above, move left 2m and pull through the grey bulge to finish.

1. 18m F1 13 Climb vertical crack about 1m left of the prominent corner to a large ledge to the right of the crack.

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2. 30m F2 15 Follow the obvious line of weakness above ledge directly above the crack of pitch 1 strenuously for about 3m on thin holds. Then scramble for about 15m to the base of a chimney and then to the top via the chimney.

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First Ascent: 1975 A McGarr and C Gillet(Pitch 1) A McGarr and G Klein(Pitch 2)

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* '''THE HAWK'S NOSE 19 (G1,M1) R ** [N]'''

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The climb starts amongst the trees about 15m upstream of Temptation Crack (i.e. about 4m above the pool).

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1. 18m F2 15 Climb the wall near a tree (growing about 1m away from the face) for about 6m. Traverse left on a foot ledge for 5m. Climb a small recess to a ledge.

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2. 15m F2,M2 15 Traverse right and up to a sloping ledge on a nose below an overhang with a protruding righthand wall. Aid up the crack in the middle and then move right and up to a large ledge.

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3. 20m G1,M1 19 Climb the lefthand recess to the roof, traverse left until it is possible to reach out and place a nut in the flared chimney. Using this, gain access to the chimney and climb to the top. (The chimney portion of this pitch has also been aided - 3 pegs 17 F3,M2).

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* '''Variation:'''

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2. 18m F3 17 Climb diagonally left and then back right to same ledge as original pitch.

Start between Mhlabatini Chimney and Temptation Crack Direct, beneath an obvious crack and white root, thicker than a man's wrist.

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1. 25m G2 20 Climb the crack to where it steepens. Move left and continue on good holds to easier rock which is followed to a ledge. Directly above looms a short butsteep orange-streaked wall, left of Temptation Crack Direct's pitch.

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2. 12m G2+ 21 Climb the centre of the wall to a rail and pull straight through the overhang above. Stance below the left bounding buttress of Temptation's final chimney.

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3. 18m G1 19 Climb the vague red recess up the left side of the buttress to the top of a short fist crack. Traverse scarily right to the undercut arete and climb this to the summit.

The climb starts in MHLABATINI CHIMNEY at the shallow cave in the upstream face (second stance for that climb) and ascends the upstream face of the chimney for the first pitch, and the downstream face for the second pitch.

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1. 18 (F3) 25m Climb up right to gain the block (3m), step left, and ascend the wall, passing to the right of the flake. Exit right to a large ledge and then climb up to the top belay stance for MHLABATINI CHIMNEY.

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2. 18 (G1) 15m On the downstream face gain the vertical crack directly (delicate), jam up the crack to the top.

Climbs the steep wall on the downstream side of the upper portion of MHLABATINI CHIMNEY.

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1. 25,R 30m Climb the wall passing a few pieces of fixed gear.

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First Ascent: 1998/9 Stefan Isabek & Derie van Eeden

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* '''TRIVIAL PURSUITS 15 (F2) L [N]'''

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Opposite to and just upstream of Mhlabatini Chimney.

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1. 10m F2 15 Climb the off-white downstream facing open book.

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First Ascent: Feb 1986 M Smith, M Brunke, K M Smith and SMBradshaw.

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* '''OBSCURED BY CLOUDS 20 (G2) L [N]'''

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Well, by trees actually.

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The start is 5m upstream of Unknown Pleasures in an openbook with a crack in it which widens to fist-jam size.

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1. 15m F3 18 Climb the crack to a ledge. Move back along the ledge to an easy crack on the right at a big inset. Move up the crack to end on the ledge with a large tree.

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2. 20m G2 20 To the left is a big red block. Start on the block (beacon) move up an overhanging groove to easy ground. Above is a red wall with a thin crack to start. Climb up and move left to exit on a small ledge.

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Second pitch cleaned on abseil as second could not follow.

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First Ascent: Good Friday 1987 B Roux and L Tonin (Pitch 1 only).

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* '''UNKNOWN PLEASURES 21 (G2+) L *** [N]'''

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Takes the obvious breaks up the buttress just upstream of Zenith Ridge.

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1. 25m G2+ 21 Ascend the shallow corner until able to pull onto easier ground above. Move slightly right and then climb diagonally left to the base of the obvious finger-crack. Follow this to a stance with tree.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 M Haffner, G Mallory, R Dodding and C Lomax.

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* '''HEDONISTIC HEIGHTS 22 (G3) L ** [N]'''

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Takes the crack line between The File and Unknown Pleasures. A long pitch giving surprisingly good climbing. Starts midway between the two above-mentioned routes.

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1. 35m G3 22 Climb ledges to base of chimney/gully and then step left to gain the crack. Hard moves (protected by 2 pegs) to gain large layback flake, and then to small cubby. Awkward moves leaving this and then continue more easily following crack/groove line to tree belay.

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First Ascent: Jan 1986 M Haffner

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* '''ZENITH RIDGE 15 (F2) L ** [N]'''

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The climb is opposite and slightly downstream of MHLABATINI CHIMNEY. It starts in a deep open book closed at the top. Scramble about 6m from stream bed and start on blocks (small tree).

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1. 15 (F2) 9m Up into open book and over obvious chockstone.

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2. 15 (F2) 8m Start with a semi-hand traverse to the right. Continue traverse over a poised block which rocks when touched, into deep recess with white roof.

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3. 15 (F2) 22m Traverse right starting across small sloping ramp. Ascend steep broken ridge. Two overhangs must be negotiated. The first overhang is just above the traverse (stomach move). The second is from a small alcove. Straddle up until a good grip high in the back of the crack can be reached. Pull up and out to the right. The pitch then eases off but is still steep. Stance on big ledge.

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Variation:

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3. 13 (F1) Instead of traversing right, go up recess and higher up move right to join original pitch.

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4. 10 (E2) 28m Climb the red face to the left, i.e. the downstream side of the buttress above the start of theclimb. Go out onto crest of the ridge at one point. First class rock.

Start 3m downstream of Mhlabatini Chimney on the true left side of the kloof.

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1. 25m G2 21 Climb easily up to a large ledge. Continue up a jamb-crack in a downstream facing corner. At the top of the corner the going gets tough. Continue up a layback crack to a common stance with Zenith Ridge.

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2. 25m F3 17 Climb up the chimney. Move right then up to a stance.

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First Ascent: 1979 D Cheesmond and party.

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* '''BULLIT 21 (G2+) R **** [N]'''

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The climb goes straight up the buttress on the downstream side of Mhlabatini Chimney. It takes a line completely independent from Delicacy. Start at the foot of a shallow recess, near the lefthand side of the buttress and 10m below a small overhang.

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1. 35m G1 19 Climb up the recess until below the overhang, where a piton can be placed for protection. Stretch up to a hold above the overhang and move up diagonallyright through the overhang on small holds (hard). Continue up to a ledge below the next overhang. Traverse right along this and then move up on the corner via an awkward mantleshelf. Continue up for about 3m until level with a ledge on the arete above the overhang. Traverse left with difficulty on polished holds to a stance on this ledge. (Nut runner belays). Alternatively, traverse left beneath overhang to arete then pull up and mantleshelf onto belay ledge.

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2. 15m F3 18 Traverse left for a few metres and then up to the foot of a prominent open book. Climb up this (strenuous) and exit on the ledge to the left. Climb up the righthand wall to a large stance with block belays.

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3. 25m G2+ 19 Climb straight up the recess above the stance for 8m to where a small nut runner can be placed. Lean across right and clip into a piton (in place). Move across right (1 peg and 1 small nut) before pulling up on to an exposed, cramped ledge below a short overhanging wall. From the righthand side of the cramped ledge climb directly up into a small recess and continue right around the corner to a ledge and resting place. Climb easily up the broken recess above to the top.

The roof crack bounding the downstream side of the top of the Bullit buttress. Scramble and climb to the highest ledge on the buttress i.e. the ledge from which Bullit's final pitch starts.

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1. 20m H1 23 Climb up easily leftwards to the corner-crack leading to the roof. Trickily up this crack, then out right along the roof crack to the lip.

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First Ascent: Apr 1986 K M Smith and S M Bradshaw.

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* '''DELICACY 16 (F3) R ** [N]'''

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The climb starts about 12m downstream from Mhlabatini Chimney.

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1. 18m D 7 Climb 12m up open book before traversing 9m upstream into recess. Scramble up recess to belay point in crack below platform on right. This platform is on the downstream side of the lefthand buttress of Mhlabatini Chimney.

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2. 12m F3 16 Climb 3m up crack to platform. From here climb a further 3m to ledge at foot of open book to right of which and 5m above is a second platform which is reached by climbing the corner on the left and stepping right (strenuous).

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3. 12m F2 15 Climb out and up to right about 3m into open book which is usedto reach small but prominent nose 8m above on the right wall. This in turn permits movement around corner where face is climbed 3m to ledge.

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4 5m F1 13 Traverse 5m into gully. This point is also the end of Mhlabatini Chimney climb.

The climb DELICACY normally finishes by traversing rather disappointingly into the gully which is the top of MHLABATINI CHIMNEY. This variation makes an exciting finish by going out onto the buttress above this traverse level. It is thought to be among the more exciting pitches in the Magaliesberg.

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4. 30m F2 15 From the stance before the traverse mentioned, go up in the corner above on an undercut layback. Then traverse left onto the outside of the very exposed buttress on good jugs and straight to the top.

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First Ascent: Date unknown P Dawson and P Norton

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* '''ELITE STREET 23 (H1) L ** [N]'''

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This climb is situated directly opposite the huge rotten recess which separates the Bullit and Spacewalk buttresses. Scramble up a few metres to a ledge. Start about 6m downstream of Rasp. A pentagonal roof lurks 12m above.

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1. 20m H1 23 Climb a thin crack to an incipient block. Gain the base of the flared recess with difficulty and climb up to the roof. Exit left and climb more easily to beneath an overhang cut by an off-width crack.

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2. 10m G3 22 Climb the crack.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 K M Smith and S Bradshaw.

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* '''BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS 26 (H3) L ***** [N]'''

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A superb though contrived variation to Glory Road giving very hard climbing.

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1. 25m H3 26 Start up Glory Road. Climb crux of that route to the base of the flake. Follow the left hand crack exclusively to the top flake. Continue rightwards to the tree.

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Note: The right hand crack in the flake was not used at all. Using the right hand crack will make the route easier. (Glory Road uses the righthand crack).

This route takes the next buttress downstream of Bullit, i.e. the buttress with the largest red overhang on top and the large rotten recess to the right. Start in the middle

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front of the buttress.

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1. 20m F1 13 Scramble up to a convenient belay ledge.

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2. 30m G1 19 Climb the main break, fairly easily at first and the with difficulty. Move right into the undercut jam crack at the overhang, and through to a good belay ledge below the top roofs.

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3. 25m G2+ 21 Climb out easily to left onto a thin crawling ledge. Wriggle out until able to flop out into a handrail position. Traverse left until able to pull through the roofs on small holds. Continue straight up through to the top.

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Note: The climb has a common start with Markwell.

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First Ascent: 1979 C Lomax and D Cheesmond

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* '''GOOD DOG 20 (G2) R ***** [N]'''

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Start about 10m downstream of Space Walk. Scramble easily up a grey slab to a ledge and belay around a large tree which is 3 metres downstream of a corner.

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1. 25m G1 19 Climb delicately up a smooth face to a large square roof. At the roof move right onto a rail which has some large blocks on it. Move back onto the original lineand continue up to stance on a polished sloping ledge in a corner.

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2. 20m G1 19 Up the corner for 2m then move right and up. Traverse easily to a stance common with Space Walk.

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3. 15m G2 20 From the ledge move up onto a triangular block. Reach high for a jug and traverse left to a stance on the top.

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Note: Opened without aid, falls or pre-abseiling. For its grade, a spectacular and mind-shattering climb. A bold lead.

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First Ascent: Oct 1983 Charles Edelstein, A Lambert

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* '''ONVERWACHT 19 (G1) R * [N]'''

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Start on the true righthand side of the kloof, about 30m downstream from Mhlabatini Chimney. The climb goes up a grey buttress with a small overhang 6m above the stream and capped by a large red overhang 45m up.

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1. 30m G1 19 Climb up to a tree 2.5m above the stream and on the lefthand side of the buttress and then move up diagonally right underneath the overhang. Traverse 3m right and then move up through the overhang using a small ledge as hand and foothold, and continue up for a further 3m on small holds to where a nut runner is placed in a vertical crack. Move delicately right for 2m and then up the shallow depression for 1.5m before moving diagonally back up left to a small tree on the face. Continue up for 5m to a ledge on the lefthand side of the buttress. From here either climb straight up with difficulty through a small overhang to the large ledge 5m above or, (easier), traverse left around the corner and then up to the ledge.

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2. 30m E2 10 Climb up the large red overhang, bypass it on the right and then traverse back left on to the nose above the overhang. Continue straight up to the top.

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First Ascent: Jan 1971 L P Fatti and E Druschke

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* '''ONVERWACHT : ALTERNATIVE START 20 (G2) R [N]'''

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Start about 6m right of the original start, on top of a boulder just to the left of a prominent corner, and just right of an arete with a small overhang about 3m up.

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1. 30m G2 20 Climb up delicately to where protection can be placed in a horizontal crack at the level of the overhang. Swing left and move up the arete past overhang via two handholds, before being forced back right on to the smooth face. A very delicate move enables one to reach a good handhold and climb up on to an awkward ledge. Traverse left 3m to join the original route just below the next overhang.

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First Ascent: 1983 L P Fatti and D Peters.

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* '''VOORSTRAAT 15 (F2) R [N]'''

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The climb starts about 45m downstream from MHLABATINI CHIMNEY and below the downstream end of a very large overhang.

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1. 18m E2 10 Climb grey slab and continue up over roots before traversing left into corner.

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2. 15m F2 15 Climb overhanging open book to tree stance.

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3. 9m E2 10 Traverse to right and then up face to top

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First Ascent: Jun 1960 B Penzhorn, M Urban, P Street and R Charlton

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* '''INDOCTRINATION 17 (F3,M0) R ** [N]'''

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The climb starts on the opposite side of the huge boulder marking the start of The Lesson. It is on the true righthand side of the kloof, at the same level as Kloof Descent.

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1. 22m F3,M0 17 Start up a smooth open book recess to the left of a large tree. Several tricky moves up the fault above lead to a blank wall about 20m up. Using a small nut for aid, move up until able to do an awkward mantleshelf on to a tiny stance.

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2. 30m F2 15 Directly above the stance is a wedge of rock forming a small overhang. Climb over the overhang before moving to the right around the corner. Move up and right via a tricky mantleshelf to a large ledge. To the right is a large loose overhanging recess; avoid this by moving left and up to a tree below an overhang. From the treestep left until able to climb up easily over some stacked blocks to a large platform.

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3. 20m E2 10 Climb up the crack in the face above. Follow the easiest line to the top.

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First Ascent: May 1977 L P Fatti and R H Smithers

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* '''THE LESSON 20 (G2) L * [N]'''

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The route starts from the top of the huge boulder, just upstream from Gaboom.

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1. 15m F3 17 From the top of the boulder a few tricky moves right lead to the base of the obvious shallow chimney. A difficult move gives access into the chimney. Climb up and exit to the left onto a large ledge.

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2. 18m G2 20 From the righthand side of the ledge climb up for 2m using downward sloping holds. Next traverse right across the smooth face to a point where one can place a small nut in a vertical crack. Stretch across right for the piton (in place) which enables one to move right onto good holds. Traverse right and climb up the break to a large tree at the base of an obvious open book.

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3. 25m F1 13 Climb up the open book exiting to the left. Move right over a short wall and then right around the corner. Climb the arete to the top.

Instead of crossing the blank face, continue up the crack and through the chimney crack above. A lack of handholds makes this route technical and strenuous and is somewhat more difficult than freeing the original aid (21 G2).

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First Ascent: Mar 1983 C Edelstein and M Brunke.

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* '''GABOOM 19 (G1,M1) L ** [N]'''

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Start from a chimney between the large boulder and the kloof wall at Kloof Descent.

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1. 9m F2 15 Climb across rightwards to a tree. Continue rightwards with an awkward mantleshelf onto a large ledge and tree belay.

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2. 28m G1,M1 19 Ascend the layback crack on the left of the tree (5m) then step left and up to a protruding ledge below a short steep wall. Climb the recess on its left using a nut to gain the ledge above the steep wall. Move up the groove, step right and up to the bulge. Swing left into a short groove with a good jamming crack and up this to the overhang. Move back right into the original groove and up to a large ledge and peg belay.

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3. 9m F2 15 Gain the horizontal break in the left wall and up into the cubbyhole. Move across left, around the arete and along the ledge to a belay in the corner above the tree.

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4 22m F2 15 Ascend the corner and traverse right below the overhang to a small tree. Move up 1.5m and up right onto a slab, then up a short steep groove. Continue up rightwards to the top.

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Note: A Fine route, pitch 2 providing sustained climbing with great variety on good rock. Pitch 2 has since been climbed free (21 G2).

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First Ascent: Aug 1968 A D Barley, P Haupt and M Sanders.

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* '''RIVERS OF RAIN 27 (H3/I1) L *** [N]'''

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Start 10m downstream of Gaboom from a sandy patch.

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1. 20m F3 17 Up tree on white rock to a muddy ledge. Walk left to tree. Up tree until forced back onto rock. Continue up to ledge beneath very overhanging corner/ crack on left.

An easy route on the right of the kloof next to a group of large boulders.

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First Ascent: Nov 1957 R Forsyth

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* '''CATCH 22 (G3) R ** [N]'''

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The climbing involves the obvious roof crack opposite Gaboom. Start 8m downstream of the Kloof Descent group of large boulders.

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1. 30m F3 17 Climb up for a few metres, traverse right to break through a small overlap, traverse back left and climb up to the base of a short buttress. Climb this to a ledge, from which a traverse of 5m left is made to a ledge just below and to the right of the roof crack.

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2. 10m G3 22 Move left and up to the roof, negotiate the crack, and climb the wall above to a ledge on the right.

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Note: Which pitch is the catch.

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First Ascent: Oct 1985 G Mallory and K M Smith.

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* '''THE FINAL CUT 25 (H2) L **** [N]'''

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The route takes the very obvious purple-streaked overhanging corner to the left of The Root on the Hypotenuse.

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Scramble 10m up to the obvious large ledge below the obvious corner.

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1. 25m H2 25 Up the very sustained corner to belay in the tree.

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First Ascent: Nov 1984 S Bradshaw and A Jardin.

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* '''THE ROOT ON THE HYPOTENUSE 13 (F1) L ** [N]'''

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Start 18m downstream of Kloof Descent at the base of a huge recess below a large projecting overhang. Scramble 3m to a large ledge.

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1. 9m E2 10 Ascend the V-groove using the numerous tree roots where necessary, to a large ledge on the left. Tree belay.

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2. 9m E3 11 Move back across the top of the groove and diagonally right to a ledge on the arete. Peg belay.

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3. 9m F1 13 From the ledge make an awkward move into the recess and continue traversing right to a tree which is used to gain the ledge above. Peg belay.

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4. 15m E2 10 From the right end of the ledge move up a few metres and traverse right 3m until the wall can be climbed to a large detached block. Continue up to a large chockstone belay below the "prominent white overhang" (Pitch 1 stance of Concave).

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5. 15m F1 13 Traverse right round the arete then make an awkward move across behind the tree to a ledge. Flake belay above.

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6. 18m E1 8 Ascend the flake behind and climb up leftwards through trees to a ledge and tree belay.

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7. 9m F1 13 Climb the yellow wall on the left of the recess using a good flake then difficult moves to the top.

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Note: The route is entirely on good rock and traverses diagonally right under the large overhangs. The roots on pitches 1 and 2 are a nuisance but the rock underneath provides sound holds.

1. 18m F2 15 Walk upstream 3m to a small nose which gives access to ledge 3m above. Move up a further 1m to larger but off-balance ledge. Climb 5m over slightly overhanging face - high handholds up to the right. After 3m of easier rock to foot of recess mantleshelf 1.5m into open book. Continue 9m up series of small recesses to ledge.

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2. 22m F2 15 Climb steep corner on small but good holds (delicate take-off) to ledge under large overhang.

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3. 22m F2 15 Climb 12m up steep but broken crack to ledge above chockstone. Continue up crack a further 6mto small ledge at foot of open book. Traverse right 3m around corner (this can be made at two levels) into another open book. This is climbed for 3m to beacon.

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First Ascent: Nov 1960 R Kinsley and B van der Riet

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* '''COMMUNIST CONVERT 17 (F3) L [N]'''

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15 F2 if Pitch 7 avoided

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18m upstream of the large tree is a large cave at 18m which is the initial objective of the climb. Start between the cave and the tree.

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1. 6m E2 10 Use the sapling to gain the large ledge.

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2. 18m F1 13 Traverse 9m left to the base of the V-groove below the cave. Ascend the groove by laybacking and using the pinnacle flakes on the left wall. Belay in the cave.

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3. 9m F2 15 Traverse 5m left from the cave and up to a narrow ledge. From the right end of the ledge make a difficult move up, then slightly left to the long ledge under the overhang.

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4. 18m D 7 Traverse to the left round the arete and slant up and along the top ledge to a block and tree belay.

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5. 17m E2 10 Move up into the groove capped by a tree, pass the detached block, step right and up the rib to large ledge and chock belay below the top overhang.

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6. 17m F1 13 Climb directly up the wall behind, then up the shallow cracks (half red, half white - conversion imminent) to a large ledge below the overhang split by a chimney.

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7. 9m F3 17 Climb up the recess to the overhang and move out until a very difficult move into the chimney can be made. Red converts easily to the top.

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Note: Non-converts can avoid the last pitch by an easy slab on the left.

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First Ascent: May 1968 A D Barley and Miss M van Steenderen.

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* '''TREESY DOES IT 19 (G1) L [N]'''

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About 30m upstream from The Yark and 30m downstream from Communist Convert is a tree growing up beside a face which has an overhang about 10m up.

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1. 18m G1 19 Move up face for about 5m making liberal use of tree. Move onto ledges and then up and leftward onto ledge just below overhang. Traverse leftward with difficulty to ledge at base of a corner.

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2. 15m F2 15 Climb strenuously up corner for about 5m and then right onto ledge. Move easily up face to large ledge and then walk right to large tree.

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3. 40m F1 13 Move up face for 6m then to right into base of recess. Climb up past large tree to a larger tree about 12m up. Continue up recess system and then up face to top.

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First Ascent: Jun 1974 L P Fatti and A McGarr

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* '''YARK 16 (F2) L [N]'''

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37m upstream of ESCAPE ROUTE a large single root slants down the left wall from 15m to the kloof bed. 6m upstream of this is a crack starting at 5m and slanting up left.

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1. 16 (F2) 22m Start from a boulder and move awkwardly up rightwards to the base of the slanting crack. Ascend the crack 5m and traverse left under a nose and then up 3m until a swing right can be made onto the nose. Traverse a few metres to a tree belay almost above the start.

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2. 13 (F1) 9m Move back left and up a recess then ascend the rib directly above the stance to a ledge and peg belay.

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3. 15 (F2) 15m Move diagonally up right for 5m then up the steep wall on good holds. Move left below a bulge and up to a large ledge and chockstone belay.

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4. 6 (D) 12m Scramble to the top.

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First Ascent: Jun 1969 AD Barley, M White, Miss M van Steenderen

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* '''CRYING OVER MEMORIES 25 (H2) L **** [N]'''

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Bold climbing up the tenuous flake-line left of TOTAL ONSNORT.

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1. 15m H2 25 Start 2m left of Total On-Snort. Head slightly leftwards to peg. Straight up flakes (exiting left at the top).

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First Ascent: May 1986 S Bradshaw.

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* '''TOTAL ON-SNORT 25 (H2) L **** [N,P]'''

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This route is situated on the short overhanging face 60m upstream of the wade pool on the true left side of the kloof i.e. 20m or so upstream of Futch on the same side of the kloof. Scramble up onto the rock ledges below the start of Futch and walk left past Dirrigible Dog. Scramble up about 4m to below the short face.

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1. 15m H2 25 Start on the right and climb the obvious crack to a peg, move up with difficulty to good holds. Continue to the top.

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2. Opened with multiple falls.

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3. Excellent climbing - only shortcoming of the route is that it is short.

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4. Maybe harder than 25 H2.

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Note: 1 Peg left in-situ, placed on abseil.

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First Ascent: Jan 1986 C Edelstein.

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* '''MYTH OF FINGERPRINTS 26 (H3) L [B,N]'''

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Climbs the face to the right of TOTAL ON-SNORT.

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First Ascent: 1987 Roger Natrass

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* '''DUSTY DOG 17 (F3) L [N]'''

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Start on the arete 10m to the left of Futch.

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1. 20m F3 17 Pull up awkwardly over the bulge. Climb the recess to under the large overhang. Traverse the face and exit right.

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First Ascent: Jan 1986 C Edelstein and M Greenslade.

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* '''FUDGE 11 (E3) L [N]'''

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Approximately 10m upstream of Futch on the same side is a very aesthetic open book 10m above stream level. From the base of Futch scramble up to base of open book.

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1. 12m E3 11 Climb open book to top (pleasant but short) - from here a variety of routes led to the top.

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First Ascent: Oct 1985 S Middlemiss and P S Greenfield.

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* '''PERAMBULATING PUP 18 (G1) L [N]'''

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About 5m to the right of Dusty Dog is a large block with a medium sized tree growing behind it, start at its base.

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1. 20m G1 18 Climb up 3m to the overhang, move right and up in the corner on excellent jams.

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First Ascent: Jan 1986 C Edelstein and M Greenslade.

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* '''DIRIGIBLE DOG 23 (H1) L [N]'''

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The start is 5m to the right of Perambulating Pup beneath a bulging overhang. A thin crack starts in the bulge of the overhang and widens further up - to about 4 cm.

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1. 20m H1 23 Start with a difficult move from the left to a good hand hold, and then move easily to the top.

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First Ascent: Jan 1986 C Edelstein and M Greenslade.

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* '''DIAMONDS IN THE DAWN 22 (G3) R *** [N]'''

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This route is the righthand of three cracks on a buttress about 100m downstream of The Final Cut but on the true right. The buttress is at the top of the kloof. The route takes an off-width-looking crack and is discernable from the river. Approach from the top.

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1. 15m G3 22 Easily up to the roof. Pull through and continue up the crack.

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First Ascent: Oct 1986 S Bradshaw and G Mallory.

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* '''DAIRY BELL 17 (F3) L * [N]'''

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A short route with some interesting roof moves. The route starts 8m to the left of Futch.

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1. 15m F3 17 From the large sloping ledge 4m above the stream mantleshelf into a short open book. Step 1m right and continue straight up to the roof. The roof is climbed by pulling through on a detached block on the left.

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2. Scramble to easier ground or abseil down Escape Route.

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First Ascent: Dec 1982 G Mallory and E Haig.

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* '''FUTCH 20 (G2) L * [N]'''

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Takes the impressive off-width crack through the roof just upstream of the cave next to Escape Route. The grade varies from 17 F3 for a small climber with experience in off-width climbing, to 22 G3 for a larger fellow!

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1. 15m G2 20 Start from boulder left of the cave and climb left onto a ledge in the corner (wet in summer). Ascend the open book on a loose sounding flake to the roof. Enter the crack awkwardly and wriggle strenuously to the top.

Above the lower pool a boulder blocks the kloof. This provides a means of escape to the left when going down the kloof by a climb of 18m on roots and ridge.

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First Ascent: Nov 1957 E Scholes

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* '''THE ACCESS TRAVERSE 10 (E2) R [N]'''

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This allows access to the kloof from the lower campsite and traverses above the lower pool and boulder which prevent access to the kloof. (See plan).

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Start 9m downstream of the pool and ascend 3m then traverse diagonally right to a sapling immediately above the pool. Step down and right under an overhang then uprightwards to a block runner. Descend diagonally right and jump onto the large boulder.

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The next pool may be passed on its true left (facing downstream) by ascending ledges.

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First Ascent: Unknown

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* '''FIRE AND ICE 19 (G1) R [N]'''

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This route is on the true right side of the kloof just 50m upstream of Golden Gate. It takes the break up a grey face which is touched by the branches of a large tree about 18m above the level of the stream. It then continues up the centre of an orange buttress (not visible from the stream).

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1. 40m F3 17 Climb the break to a large overhang and continue up to the right of the overhang (the large branches of the tree will be just behind you). Continue up and slightly left on easy ground to below an overhanging crack.

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2. 30m G1 19 Climb the overhanging crack to easy ground and then climb the arete directly above on good jugs on its right edge.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''TREACHERY AND TREASON 18 (G1) R * [N]'''

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The route is about 75m downstream of the wade pool at the bottom of Mhlabatini. It starts immediately upstream of a short steep grey wall (30m downstream of Fire & Ice).

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1. 20m F1 13 Start up a messy recess and pull past a steeper section to gain a stance.

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2. 25m E1 10 Scramble diagonally right to reach a ledge below an impressive orange and white face on a downstream facing buttress.

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3. 20m G1 18 Climb a thin crack in the face left of the buttress.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 G Mallory and S Mallory.

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* '''UP YOURS 17 (F3) R [N]'''

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The climb is situated 40m upstream from the Golden Gate buttress and 45m downstream from the big pool blocking the bottom of the kloof. The climb is on the true righthand side of the kloof and 5m downstream from a recess and large tree that leans over from the left. Start from a boulder in the river below an overlap.

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1. 20m F3 17 Climb up to the overlap and through easily to the left. Move across right to a short steep face and climb this to the corner under the prominent overhang. Swing across left and down, then climb the ramp and face to a cubby hole. (At this point, the tree from the other side of the kloof reaches the rock.)

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2. 35 F1 13 Move 3m to the left and climb straight up easy rock to a recess between the buttress on the right and large block on the left. Climb onto the block and then move up and around to the left and climb a recess until it is possible to move across right to a large ledge below a corner.

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3. 20m E2 10 Climb the corner to a cubby hole. Climb into the cubby hole and then up a crack to top of buttress. Scramble to the top.

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First Ascent: Jun 1981 C Shuttleworth and H Boshoff.

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* '''FIDO 11 (F1) R [N]'''

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Start 30m upstream from The Golden Gate, in an openbook formed by an undercut buttress.

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1. 30m F1 11 Climb the righthand wall of an openbook, capped by a large overhang 20m up. Climb 10m to small tree growing on face then traverse to left side and around onto the face of the buttress. Straight up on good holds to stance with tree belay.

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2. 25m E2 9 Climb straight up in corner to large stance with tree belay.

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3. 10m C 5 Scramble to top.

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First Ascent: Aug 1985 B Schumacher and J Ferrington.

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* '''THE GOLDEN GATE 15 (F2) R [N]'''

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The route ascends the Gatepost Buttress at the lower end of the kloof and immediately above the lower campsite.

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Scramble up from the downstream side to a ledge under the buttress. Start below a thin black crack 3m right of the blunt undercut arete.

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1. 15m F1 13 Ascend diagonally left to the arete and up this then diagonally left to belay below the chimney.

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2. 10m F2 15 Make an awkward initial move up the chimney then continue up to a tree belay on the right.

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3. 15m E2 10 Move 5m right and up a curving crack then across left on good holds to finish.

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Alternative starts:

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1a ?m F3 17 Start 3m left of the blunt arete and ascend a slanting crack to gain the arete.

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1b ?m F2 15 Start 5m left of the blunt arete and ascend the corner for 5m then right and up to the arete.

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Note: Below the Gatepost Buttress on the left is a small buttress providing many 30m problems of varying difficulty.

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First Ascent: Aug 1968 K Fletcher, R Duff and party

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* '''LOVE JUGS 20 (G2) R [N]'''

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The route takes the line up the middle of the buttress known as Golden Gate at the bottom campsite. The Golden Gate is the large orange rock buttress visible from the road.

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1. 35m G2 20 Start 2m to the right of corner on the northern aspect of the buttress. A difficult move up and then more easily to a large ledge. Above is another break. Do an awkward move up and then move diagonally up right to jumbo ledge. Climb the obvious slanting crack 2m right of the wriggle chimney and move right before the next huge ledge.

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Note: The last pitch is common with that of Golden Gate.

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First Ascent: May 1985 C Edelstein and T Gluck.

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* '''SUBTLE 15 (F2) [N]'''

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These are three short routes left of Clever (just round the corner). Subtle takes the open book on the left. Innuendo straddles through the small roof in the middle and Oblique takes the right-slanting crack on the right.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''INUENDO 15 (F2) [N]'''

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These are three short routes left of Clever (just round the corner). Subtle takes the open book on the left. Innuendo straddles through the small roof in the middle and Oblique takes the right-slanting crack on the right.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''OBLIQUE 17 (F3) [N]'''

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These are three short routes left of Clever (just round the corner). Subtle takes the open book on the left. Innuendo straddles through the small roof in the middle and Oblique takes the right-slanting crack on the right.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''CLEVER 15 (F2) L [N]'''

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On the rock buttress, on the true left side of the kloof, just downstream from the lower campsite is an obvious crack-line with a small tree half-way up.

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1. 20m F2 15 Move up from the slabs onto the face and then into the crack and continue up to the ledge and tree. Continue up the inverted-V and then up easy rock to the top.

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First Ascent: Apr 1982 C Edelstein, R van Dijk and J Lever.

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* '''BULLION 18 (G1) L ** [N]'''

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This route is below the lower campsite (between Cleaver and Credit Card Cult). It takes a line up a striking orange face flanked on either side by recesses.

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1. 8m G1 19 Start in the middle of a grey slab and climb on thin holds to a stance at a tree.

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2. 15m G1 18 Start on blocks on left and climb up 3m before moving 1m right. Climb straight up from there.

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 G Mallory and S Mallory.

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* '''GRINALDUS 19 (G1) L [N]'''

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This route is situated on the first rock buttress you come to on the true left side of the kloof just downstream of the lower campsite. Start 3m to the right of Clever just to the left of an overhang which is about 8m above the ground.

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1. 20m G1 19 Start below a short face. Pull-up on good holds onto the face to below a small overhang, swing right and continue up the right-facing open book to a metre or so below the overhang. Swing left onto the arete and continue up the left facing open book to below an overhang (consisting of a jutting-out slab of rock). Pull through the overhang on the right.

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First Ascent: Apr 1982 C Edelstein, R van Dijk.

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* '''AND THEN THERE WERE THREE 13 (F1) L [N]'''

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Situated on the small buttress in the lower part of Mhlabatini, just downstream of the lower campsite and on the true lefthand side of the kloof. Approximately 12m downstream of Grinaldus is a wide very shallow open book, the faces of which are grey.

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1. 38m F1 13 The route ascends the right face of the open book (fairly thin). Move up diagonally rightwards to the large grassy ledge at the base of the two chimneys above (4m). Ascend the rough knobbled face to the right of the righthand chimney to the summit.

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First Ascent: Apr 1985 T P Willmot and S Kelsey.

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* '''NOT SO MUCH TO FLY AS TO PLUMMET 17 (F3) L *** [N]'''

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Approximately 8m downstream of AND THEN THERE WERE THREE is a deep vegetated chimney. Left of this is a grey slab topped by a pronounced steep-looking red face bound on the right by a sharp arete.

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1. 38m F3 17 The route ascends the left of the grey slab to the ledge above with tree, just below the red face (4m). Continue up the red face starting at its left extremity and moving up diagonally rightwards (thin) to the rounded nose above. Immediately above the nose is a crack system. Ascend this to the top, finishing as for AND THEN THERE WHERE THREE.

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Note: A pleasant short route with good exposure on the face.

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First Ascent: Apr 1985 T P Willmot and S Kelsey.

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* '''HAIRY FISH 11 (E3) L [N]'''

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Approximately 1 metre downstream of Not So Much to Fly as to Plummet is a broken open book leading to a chimney on the right of the sharp arete. The route ascends the

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book and the chimney to the top. A pleasant route although a bit chossy lower down.

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1. 24m E3 11 Move up the open book to the base of the chimney. Gain the chimney by stepping right and up. Bridge up, bearing right as the chimney widens. As the angle eases, ascend the red face on the right to the top.

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First Ascent: Apr 1985 S Kelsey, M T Willmot and T P Willmot.

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* '''EASY DOG 13 (F1) L [N]'''

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30m downstream from Grinaldus on the same side of the kloof is a south-facing open book. Climb this easily.

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First Ascent: 1983 C Edelstein.

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* '''THE CREDIT CARD CULT 20 (G2) L [N]'''

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This route starts 5m to the left of Overdraft and takes the thin line through the centre of the orange face. (25m)

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''OVERDRAFT 17 (F3) L [N]'''

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10m left of Prime Rate is an undercut orange face. On the right arete of the face is a break. Climb this starting with an awkward move. (25m)

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First Ascent: Jun 1985 C Edelstein and G Mallory.

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* '''PRIME RATE 21 (G2) L [N]'''

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On the same side as Grinaldus, about 100m downstream two roofs are visible - the first about 15m above the stream bed, the second 10m above the first. Scramble up to a stance below the first roof. Step off a block and do a difficult move through and up to a ledge (tree belay)under the next roof. An immaculate move takes you through the next roof. (25m)

Revision as of 18:39, 22 August 2013

Contents

Access

This is also an MCSA owned kloof and permits should be obtained - see the main page for details. Parking is not on MCSA property but on a neighbour’s property and a parking fee applies. An access an parking fee register is located at the parking. Contact the MCSA for more access details.

Visitors are not allowed to enter or leave the kloof after dark - allow enough time to get into and out of the kloof from the parking. There have been thefts from the standard parking spot. You MUST however contact the MCSA for the latest arrangements.

Approach

The walk in is uphill and moving through the kloof can be challenging at times (wading and scrambling required). A camp site is located at the entrance to the kloof. Note that it is not permissible to follow the river to gain access to the kloof as this are is located on private property.

Routes/ Gradings

A truly beautiful kloof famous for its many crack climbs. The 136 routes are mostly multi-pitch natural routes, grades vary from 5 to 27 with many at each grade above 15 until 25.

Aspect

With plenty of water and nice shade all day it is a very pleasant kloof all year round.